When a courier arrived with a parcel at Denzil Levy’s flat recently he was pleasantly surprised to find it contained a greeting card from Queen Elizabeth II, congratulating him on his 100th birthday.

“I was delighted as I thought I would just get a telegram, but when I got this photograph with the message from the queen, it was quite exhilarating,” he said.

He confessed he was not all that nonplussed as he had been expecting the letter.

TON UP: Port Elizabeth man Denzil Levy holds the card he received from Queen Elizabeth II on his 100th birthday, which he celebrates today. With him are his daughters Marilyn Smith and Fanelle Galaun Picture: IVOR MARKMAN

“I wrote to Her Majesty and sent her a photograph of my late father entertaining King George VI and his wife and the present queen and Princess Margaret, and to say I was turning 100,” he said.

Levy’s father was the chairman of the board of trustees of the Port Elizabeth Museum and Snake Park, now Bayworld, and the photograph was taken in the park in 1947.

He told the queen he was once president of the board of trustees of the King George VI Art Gallery, which is now the Nelson Mandela Art Gallery.

Levy, a well-known personality in Port Elizabeth, said he was feeling fine and thought he was doing well considering his century.

“I really can’t complain. I’m in very good health,” he said.

The Queen’s hat featured a pretty tulip adornment and she teamed the ensemble with her trusty white gloves

“I’ve still got all my faculties, which is very important. I’m a little bit hard of hearing, but I’ve got hearing aids and that helps me.”

Up until four years ago Levy used to walk Park Drive every day. The distance is 2.2km and he completed it in 19 minutes.

This afternoon he will be the guest of honour at a special high tea sponsored by the Port Elizabeth Hebrew Congregation at which over 200 people are expected.

Apart from his two daughters, Marilyn and Fanelle, who have flown out from London, 18 other family members will be there.